Cambridge English Language Assessment (Cambridge exam) - an international document proving the fact of English proficiency at a certain level. It was developed in 1858 by the University of Cambridge in England. At first it was used only to test the knowledge of university students, but in 1913 the exam became available to everyone.
Cambridge Exam Levels
There are five levels, each of which allows you to assess the skills of oral communication, writing, listening and reading.
- KET - indicates that the degree of proficiency in the language of the examinee corresponds to the basic level;
- PET - confirms that the degree of language proficiency corresponds to the beginning of the intermediate level;
- FCE - confirms the average level of knowledge of the dealer;
- CAE - indicates the beginning of a professional level of language proficiency;
- CPE - proves the professional level of language proficiency.
The exam program for children and adults is different, as well as for those who plan to teach the language.
KEY and PET blocks
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening.
- Speaking.
Reading - reading. The text will be given, after - assignments on it. Most often, students do not have much difficulty with this module and try to score a good amount of points.
Writting - a letter. Before going to the Cambridge exam, those who want to get a decent result, memorize all the possible options for writing or cliches that will help to maintain a strict structure. This also does not cause particular difficulties. Good writing preparation is required, then we recall the memorized key phrases and introductory words. It is necessary to pay attention that the most important thing is to understand what the letter is asked to write about and also its length. If the characters are less than the required minimum, the letter will be rated zero points.
Listening - listening. It consists in listening to a dialogue, or a monologue in English and an answer to required questions.
For Speaking (personal conversation), they invite two surrenders to an office in which 2-3 experts are already present. You will be offered to sit down, after the welcome they will start a conversation on certain topics. First, they will ask a few questions individually for each, then they will offer a topic for dialogue and it will be necessary to start a conversation with the interlocutor. Top tip: Practice this exam with your friends, colleagues, or family. For a person who knows the language at a high level, with "free" English this will not be difficult. Another part is added to FCE, CAE, CPE - Use of English (grammar and vocabulary). This part comes after the letter and is a list of tasks in grammar, tenses and checking the vocabulary of the dealer.
Rates
The cost of the Cambridge exam depends on many factors. First of all, the price depends on the exam level you have chosen. The fees for KET and CAE will vary greatly. Secondly, from the exchange rate, since the price was initially set in the national currency of Great Britain. Rates range from 3,500 to 14,150 rubles. Only this is the price for the exam itself. If you are not going to prepare yourself, but with the help of special schools and additional courses / classes, the fee depends on your knowledge of the English language. If your knowledge is minimal or even equal to zero, you should at least go in depth from three months to six months. The average price of individual lessons per hour in megacities is 600-800 rubles (depending on the region). In the province - 300-400 rubles.
Cambridge exam preparation
You need to devote as much time to learning the language as possible. Now there are many free and paid online platforms available that will help you learn English yourself. If you are unable to figure it out personally, you can use the online English schools. Lessons will be held via Skype at any time convenient for you. Either use the classic version and sign up for a special school or find a tutor.
Pay more attention to practice. Find a pen pal from English speaking countries, go on a trip, replace books in Russian with foreign editions, or listen to listening instead of songs. Practice is important in everything! It is proved that a person most quickly learns a foreign language when it is really necessary. For example, if you moved to a new place of residence in another country, or you are not accepted for a good position without knowledge of the English language and so on. The more acute the need for new knowledge, the sooner you will learn the language.
Conclusion
The Cambridge English exam is quite complicated. Fortunately, passing the exam remotely is not possible. Otherwise, a certificate of a successful exam would not confirm the real level of knowledge of the person being examined. The competitive advantage over other exams is the absence of an expiration date (no need to retake the exam every 2-3 years). If you are in a village, urban-type settlement, a city where there are no special schools with a license to take the Cambridge exam, you should go to the city or metropolis, where there is such an opportunity. Be calm, carefully prepare yourself and then you will find a high indicator on the international exam. I wish you success in your endeavors!